Adaptable parallax barrier supporting mixed 2d and stereoscopic 3d display regions

ABSTRACT

A display system is provided that enables two-dimensional and three-dimensional images to be displayed. The display system includes a pixel array and a parallax barrier, and may include backlighting. The parallax barrier includes a plurality of barrier elements arranged in a barrier element array. Each barrier element is configured to be selectively opaque or transparent. The barrier element array is configured to filter light from the pixel array to form a plurality of images in a viewing space. Pairs of the images may be perceived by viewers in the viewing space as three-dimensional. Different regions of the barrier element array may be configured to filter light from the pixel array in different ways to form corresponding different images in the viewing space, including simultaneously delivering one or more two-dimensional views and/or three-dimensional views to viewers in the viewing space.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/291,818, filed on Dec. 31, 2009, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety; and

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/303,119, filed on Feb. 10, 2010, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to three-dimensional image displays.

2. Background Art

Images may be generated for display in various forms. For instance,television (TV) is a widely used telecommunication medium fortransmitting and displaying images in monochromatic (“black and white”)or color form. Conventionally, images are provided in analog form andare displayed by display devices in two-dimensions. More recently,images are being provided in digital form for display in two-dimensionson display devices having improved resolution (e.g., “high definition”or “HD”). Even more recently, images capable of being displayed inthree-dimensions are being generated.

Conventional displays may use a variety of techniques to achievethree-dimensional image viewing functionality. For example, varioustypes of glasses have been developed that may be worn by users to viewthree-dimensional images displayed by a conventional display. Examplesof such glasses include glasses that utilize color filters or polarizedfilters. In each case, the lenses of the glasses pass two-dimensionalimages of differing perspective to the user's left and right eyes. Theimages are combined in the visual center of the brain of the user to beperceived as a three-dimensional image. In another example, synchronizedleft eye, right eye LCD (liquid crystal display) shutter glasses may beused with conventional two-dimensional displays to create athree-dimensional viewing illusion. In still another example, LCDdisplay glasses are being used to display three-dimensional images to auser. The lenses of the LCD display glasses include correspondingdisplays that provide images of differing perspective to the user'seyes, to be perceived by the user as three-dimensional.

Problems exist with such techniques for viewing three-dimensionalimages. For instance, persons that use such displays and systems to viewthree-dimensional images may suffer from headaches, eyestrain, and/ornausea after long exposure. Furthermore, some content, such astwo-dimensional text, may be more difficult to read and interpret whendisplayed three-dimensionally. To address these problems, somemanufacturers have created display devices that may be toggled betweenthree-dimensional viewing and two-dimensional viewing. A display deviceof this type may be switched to a three-dimensional mode for viewing ofthree-dimensional images, and may be switched to a two-dimensional modefor viewing of two-dimensional images (and/or to provide a respite fromthe viewing of three-dimensional images).

A parallax barrier is another example of a device that enables images tobe displayed in three-dimensions. A parallax barrier includes of a layerof material with a series of precision slits. The parallax barrier isplaced proximal to a display so that a user's eyes each see a differentset of pixels to create a sense of depth through parallax. Adisadvantage of parallax barriers is that the viewer must be positionedin a well-defined location in order to experience the three-dimensionaleffect. If the viewer moves his/her eyes away from this “sweet spot,”image flipping and/or exacerbation of the eyestrain, headaches andnausea that may be associated with prolonged three-dimensional imageviewing may result. Conventional three-dimensional displays that utilizeparallax barriers are also constrained in that the displays must beentirely in a two-dimensional image mode or a three-dimensional imagemode at any time.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for displays havingadaptable parallax barriers substantially as shown in and/or describedherein in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth morecompletely in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a partof the specification, illustrate the present invention and, togetherwith the description, further serve to explain the principles of theinvention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to makeand use the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a display system, according to anexample embodiment.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show block diagrams of examples of the display system ofFIG. 1, according to embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a view of a surface of a parallax barrier, according to anexample embodiment.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show views of a barrier element of a barrier element arraythat is selected to be transparent and to be opaque, respectively,according to example embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for generating three-dimensional images,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a display system,according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 8A and 8B shows view of example parallax barriers withnon-blocking slits, according to embodiments.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a barrier array controller, according toan example embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows an example display system configured to generatethree-dimensional images, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows the display system of FIG. 7 providing a three-dimensionalimage to a user, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a process for forming a two-dimensional image, accordingto an example embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a process for modifying a parallax barrier to modifydisplay characteristics, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 14 shows a view of the parallax barrier of FIG. 3 with increasedspacing between non-blocking slits, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows a display system with increased spacing betweennon-blocking slits, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart for configuring a parallax barrier to enabletwo or more three-dimensional views to be simultaneously delivered to aviewer, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 17 shows a view of the parallax barrier of FIG. 3 with portionshaving different width non-blocking slits, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 18 shows a process for configuring a parallax barrier to displaydifferently oriented three-dimensional images, according to exampleembodiments.

FIG. 19 shows a view of the parallax barrier of FIG. 3 with differentlyoriented non-blocking slits, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 20 shows a flowchart that may be performed to enable thesimultaneous display of two-dimensional and three-dimensional images,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 21 shows a display system configured to simultaneously generatetwo-dimensional and three-dimensional images, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIGS. 22 and 23 show views of the barrier element array of FIG. 3configured to enable the simultaneous display of two-dimensional andthree-dimensional images of various sizes and shapes, according toexample embodiments.

FIG. 24 shows a block diagram of a display environment, according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 25 shows a block diagram of a remote device, according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 26 shows a block diagram of a display device, according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 27 shows a block diagram of an example display controller,according to an embodiment.

The present invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicateidentical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-mostdigit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which thereference number first appears.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION I. Introduction

The present specification discloses one or more embodiments thatincorporate the features of the invention. The disclosed embodiment(s)merely exemplify the invention. The scope of the invention is notlimited to the disclosed embodiment(s). The invention is defined by theclaims appended hereto.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment describedmay include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, butevery embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed.

Furthermore, it should be understood that spatial descriptions (e.g.,“above,” “below,” “up,” “left,” “right,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,”“vertical,” “horizontal,” etc.) used herein are for purposes ofillustration only, and that practical implementations of the structuresdescribed herein can be spatially arranged in any orientation or manner.

II. Example Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention relate to display devices thatinclude a parallax barrier that may be dynamically modified, therebychanging the manner in which images are delivered to the eyes of one ormore viewers. The parallax barrier may be configured to enable theadaptive display of multiple types of images to users. For instance,embodiments enable the adaptive accommodation of a changing viewer sweetspot, switching between two-dimensional (2D), stereoscopicthree-dimensional (3D), and multi-view 3D images, as well as thesimultaneous display of 2D, stereoscopic 3D, and multi-view 3D images.Example features of the parallax barrier that may be dynamicallymodified include one or more of a number of slits in the parallaxbarrier, the dimensions of each slit, the spacing between the slits, andthe orientation of the slits. Slits of the parallax barrier may also beturned on or off in relation to certain regions of the screen such thatsimultaneous mixed 2D, stereoscopic 3D, and multi-view 3D presentationscan be accommodated.

The following subsections describe numerous example embodiments of thepresent invention. It will be apparent to persons skilled in therelevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made to theembodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present inventionshould not be limited by any of exemplary embodiments described herein.

A. Example Display System and Method Embodiments

In embodiments, a display device may include an adaptive parallaxbarrier to enable various display capabilities. For instance, FIG. 1shows a block diagram of a display system 100, according to an exampleembodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, system 100 includes a display device112. Display device 112 is capable of displaying 2D and 3D images asdescribed above. As shown in FIG. 1, display device 112 includes animage generator 102 and a parallax barrier 104. Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 1, image generator 102 includes a pixel array 114 and mayoptionally include backlighting 116. Image generator 102 and parallaxbarrier 104 operate to generate 2D and/or 3D images that are viewable byusers/viewers in a viewing space 106. Although parallax barrier 104 isshown positioned between image generator 102 and viewing space 106 inFIG. 1, as further described below, parallax barrier 104 mayalternatively be positioned between portions of image generator 102(e.g., between pixel array 114 and backlighting 116).

When present, backlighting 116 emits light that is filtered by parallaxbarrier 104, and the filtered light is received by pixel array 114,which imposes image information on the filtered light by performingfurther filtering. When backlighting 116 is not present, pixel array 114may be configured to emit light which includes the image information,and the emitted light is filtered by parallax barrier 104. Parallaxbarrier 104 operates as an image filter or “light manipulator” to filterreceived light with a plurality of barrier elements (also referred to as“blocking regions”) that are selectively substantially opaque ortransparent to enable three-dimensional images to be generated from theimage information provided by pixel array 114. The image information mayinclude one or more still images, motion (e.g., video) images, etc. Asshown in FIG. 1, image generator 102 and parallax barrier 104 generatefiltered light 110. Filtered light 110 may include one or moretwo-dimensional images and/or three-dimensional images (e.g., formed bya pair of two-dimensional images in filtered light 110), for instance.Filtered light 110 is received in viewing space 106 proximate to displaydevice 112. One or more users may be present in viewing space 106 toview the images included in filtered light 110.

Display device 112 may be implemented in various ways. For instance,display device 112 may be a television display (e.g., an LCD (liquidcrystal display) television, a plasma television, etc.), a computermonitor, or any other type of display device. Image generator 102 may beany suitable type or combination of light and image generating devices,including an LCD screen, a plasma screen, an LED (light emitting device)screen (e.g., an OLED (organic LED) screen), etc. Parallax barrier 104may be any suitable light filtering device, including an LCD filter, amechanical filter (e.g., that incorporates individually controllableshutters), etc., and may be configured in any manner, including as athin-film device (e.g., formed of a stack of thin film layers), etc.Backlighting 116 may be any suitable light emitting device, including apanel of LEDs or other light emitting elements.

FIG. 2A shows a block diagram of a display system 200, which is anexample of system 100 shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment. Asshown in FIG. 2A, system 200 includes a display device controller 202and a display device 250 (which includes image generator 102 andparallax barrier 104). Display device 250 is an example of displaydevice 112 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2A, image generator 102 includesa pixel array 208 (which is an example of pixel array 114 of FIG. 1),and parallax barrier 104 includes a barrier element array 210.Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2A, display controller 202 includes apixel array controller 204 and a barrier array controller 206. Thesefeatures of system 200 are described as follows.

Pixel array 208 includes a two-dimensional array of pixels (e.g.,arranged in a grid or other distribution). Pixel array 208 is aself-illuminating or light-generating pixel array such that the pixelsof pixel array 208 each emit light included in light 252 emitted fromimage generator 102. Each pixel may be a separately addressable lightsource (e.g., a pixel of a plasma display, an LCD display, an LEDdisplay such as an OLED display, or of other type of display). Eachpixel of pixel array 208 may be individually controllable to vary colorand intensity. In an embodiment, each pixel of pixel array 208 mayinclude a plurality of sub-pixels that correspond to separate colorchannels, such as a trio of red, green, and blue sub-pixels included ineach pixel.

Parallax barrier 104 is positioned proximate to a surface of pixel array208. Barrier element array 210 is a layer of parallax barrier 104 thatincludes a plurality of barrier elements or blocking regions arranged inan array. Each barrier element of the array is configured to beselectively opaque or transparent. For instance, FIG. 3 shows a parallaxbarrier 300, according to an example embodiment. Parallax barrier 300 isan example of parallax barrier 104 of FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 3,parallax barrier 300 includes a barrier element array 302. Barrierelement array 302 includes a plurality of barrier elements 304 arrangedin a two-dimensional array (e.g., arranged in a grid), although in otherembodiments, may include barrier elements 304 arranged in other ways.Barrier elements 304 may each be a pixel of an LCD, a moveablemechanical element (e.g., a hinged flap that passes light in a firstposition and blocks light in a second position), a magnetically actuatedelement, or other suitable barrier element. Each barrier element 304 isshown in FIG. 3 as rectangular (e.g., square) in shape, but in otherembodiments may have other shapes.

For example, in one embodiment, each barrier element 304 may have a“band” shape that extends a vertical length of barrier element array302, such that barrier element array 302 includes a single horizontalrow of barrier elements 304. Each barrier element 304 may include one ormore of such bands, and different portions of barrier element array 302may include barrier elements 304 that include different numbers of suchbands. One advantage of such a configuration is that barrier elements304 extending a vertical length of barrier element array 302 do not needto have spacing between them because there is no need for drive signalrouting in such space. For instance, in a two-dimensional LCD arrayconfiguration, such as TFT (thin film transistor) display, atransistor-plus-capacitor circuit is typically placed onsite at thecorner of a single pixel in the array, and control signals for suchtransistors are routed between the LCD pixels (row-column control, forexample). In a pixel configuration for a parallax barrier, localtransistor control may not be necessary because barrier elements 304 maynot need to be changing as rapidly as display pixels (e.g., pixels ofpixel array 208). For a single row of vertical bands of barrier elements304, control signals may be routed to the top and/or bottom of barrierelements 304. Because in such a configuration control signal routingbetween rows is not needed, the vertical bands can be arrangedside-by-side with little-to-no space in between. Thus, if the verticalbands are thin and oriented edge-to-edge, one band or multiple adjacentbands (e.g., five bands) may comprise a barrier element 304 in ablocking state, followed by one band or multiple adjacent bands (e.g.,two bands) that comprise a barrier element 304 in a non-blocking state(a slit), and so on. In the example of five bands in a blocking stateand two bands in a non-blocking state, the five bands may combine tooffer a single black barrier element of approximately 2.5 times thewidth of a single transparent slit with no spaces therein.

Barrier element array 302 may include any number of barrier elements304. For example, in FIG. 3, barrier element array 302 includestwenty-eight barrier elements 304 along an x-axis and includes twentybarrier elements 304 along a y-axis, for a total number of five hundredand sixty barrier elements 304. However, these dimensions of barrierelement array 302 and the total number of barrier elements 304 forbarrier element array 302 shown in FIG. 3 are provided for illustrativepurposes, and are not intended to be limiting. Barrier element array 302may include any number of barrier elements 304, and may have any arraydimensions, including ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, or even largernumbers of barrier elements 304 along each of the x- and y-axes. Barrierelement array 302 of FIG. 3 is merely illustrative of larger barrierarrays that may be typically present in embodiments of parallax barrier104. In embodiments, the width of one barrier element in a barrierelement array may be a multiple or divisor of a corresponding displaypixel width (e.g., a width of a pixel of pixel array 114). Similarly, anumber of columns/rows in a barrier element array may be a multiple ordivisor of a corresponding number of columns/rows of pixels in acorresponding pixel array.

Each barrier element 304 of barrier element array 302 is selectable tobe substantially opaque or transparent. For instance, FIG. 4 shows abarrier element 304 x that is selected to be substantially transparent,and FIG. 5 shows barrier element 304 x when selected to be substantiallyopaque, according to example embodiments. When barrier element 304 x isselected to be transparent, light 252 from pixel array 208 may passthrough barrier element 304 x (e.g., to viewing space 106). When barrierelement 304 x is selected to be opaque, light 252 from pixel array 208is blocked from passing through barrier element 304 x. By selecting someof barrier elements 304 of barrier element array 302 to be transparent,and some of barrier elements 304 of barrier element array 302 to beopaque, light 252 received at barrier element array 302 is filtered togenerate filtered light 110. It is noted that in some embodiments,barrier elements may capable of being completely transparent or opaque,and in other embodiments, barrier elements may not be capable of beingfully transparent or opaque. For instance, such barrier elements may becapable of being 95% transparent when considered to be “transparent” andmay be capable of being 5% transparent when considered to be “opaque.”“Transparent” and “opaque” as used herein are intended to encompassbarrier elements being substantially transparent (e.g., greater than 75%transparent, including completely transparent) and substantially opaque(e.g., less than 25% transparent, including completely opaque),respectively.

Display controller 202 is configured to generate control signals toenable display device 250 to display two-dimensional andthree-dimensional images to users 218 in viewing space 106. For example,pixel array controller 204 is configured to generate a control signal214 that is received by pixel array 208. Control signal 214 may includeone or more control signals used to cause pixels of pixel array 208 toemit light 252 of particular desired colors and/or intensity. Barrierarray controller 206 is configured to generate a control signal 216 thatis received by barrier element array 210. Control signal 216 may includeone or more control signals used to cause each of barrier elements 304of barrier element array 302 to be transparent or opaque. In thismanner, barrier element array 210 filters light 252 to generate filteredlight 110 that includes one or more two-dimensional and/orthree-dimensional images that may be viewed by users 218 in viewingspace 106.

For example, control signal 214 may control sets of pixels of pixelarray 208 to each emit light representative of a respective image, toprovide a plurality of images. Control signal 216 may control barrierelements 304 of barrier element array 210 to filter the light receivedfrom pixel array 208 according to the provided images such that one ormore of the images are received by users 218 in two-dimensional form.For instance, control signal 216 may select one or more sets of barrierelements 304 of barrier element array 302 to be transparent, to transmitone or more corresponding two-dimensional images or views to users 218.Furthermore, control signal 216 may control sections of barrier elementarray 210 to include opaque and transparent barrier elements 304 tofilter the light received from pixel array 208 so that one or more pairsof images or views provided by pixel array 208 are each received byusers 218 as a corresponding three-dimensional image or view. Forexample, control signal 216 may select parallel strips of barrierelements 304 of barrier element array 302 to be transparent to formslits that enable three-dimensional images to be received by users 218.

In embodiments, control signal 216 may be generated by barrier arraycontroller 206 to configure one or more characteristics of barrierelement array 210. For example, control signal 216 may be generated toform any number of parallel strips of barrier elements 304 of barrierelement array 302 to be transparent, to modify the number and/or spacingof parallel strips of barrier elements 304 of barrier element array 302that are transparent, to select and/or modify a width and/or a length(in barrier elements 304) of one or more strips of barrier elements 304of barrier element array 302 that are transparent or opaque, to selectand/or modify an orientation of one or more strips of barrier elements304 of barrier element array 302 that are transparent, to select one ormore areas of barrier element array 302 to include all transparent orall opaque barrier elements 304, etc.

FIG. 2B shows a block diagram of a display system 220, which is anotherexample of system 100 shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment. Asshown in FIG. 2B, system 220 includes display device controller 202 anda display device 260, which includes a pixel array 222, parallax barrier104, and backlighting 116. Display device 260 is an example of displaydevice 112 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2B, parallax barrier 104 includesbarrier element array 210 and backlighting 116 includes a light elementarray 236. Furthermore, display controller 202 includes a pixel arraycontroller 228, barrier array controller 206, and a light sourcecontroller 230. Although separated by parallax barrier 104 in FIG. 2B,pixel array 222 and backlighting 116 form an example of image generator102 of FIG. 1. These features of system 220 are described as follows.

Backlighting 116 is a backlight panel that emits light 238. Lightelement array 236 (or “backlight array”) of backlighting 116 includes atwo-dimensional array of light sources. Such light sources may bearranged, for example, in a rectangular grid. Each light source in lightelement array 236 is individually addressable and controllable to selectan amount of light emitted thereby. A single light source may compriseone or more light-emitting elements depending upon the implementation.In one embodiment, each light source in light element array 236comprises a single light-emitting diode (LED) although this example isnot intended to be limiting.

Parallax barrier 104 is positioned proximate to a surface ofbacklighting 116 (e.g., a surface of the backlight panel). As describedabove, barrier element array 210 is a layer of parallax barrier 104 thatincludes a plurality of barrier elements or blocking regions arranged inan array. Each barrier element of the array is configured to beselectively opaque or transparent. FIG. 3, as described above, shows aparallax barrier 300, which is an example of parallax barrier 104 ofFIG. 2B. Barrier element array 210 filters light 238 received frombacklighting 116 to generate filtered light 240. Filtered light 240 isconfigured to enable a two-dimensional image or a three-dimensionalimage (e.g., formed by a pair of two-dimensional images in filteredlight 110) to be formed based on images subsequently imposed on filteredlight 240 by pixel array 222.

Similarly to pixel array 208 of FIG. 2A, pixel array 222 of FIG. 2Bincludes a two-dimensional array of pixels (e.g., arranged in a grid orother distribution). However, pixel array 222 is not self-illuminating,and instead is a light filter that imposes images (e.g., in the form ofcolor, grayscale, etc.) on filtered light 240 from parallax barrier 104to generate filtered light 110 to include one or more images. Each pixelof pixel array 222 may be a separately addressable filter (e.g., a pixelof a plasma display, an LCD display, an LED display, or of other type ofdisplay). Each pixel of pixel array 208 may be individually controllableto vary the color imposed on the corresponding light passing through,and/or to vary the intensity of the passed light in filtered light 110.In an embodiment, each pixel of pixel array 222 may include a pluralityof sub-pixels that correspond to separate color channels, such as a trioof red, green, and blue sub-pixels included in each pixel.

Display controller 202 of FIG. 2B is configured to generate controlsignals to enable display device 260 to display two-dimensional andthree-dimensional images to users 218 in viewing space 106. For example,light source controller 230 within display controller 202 controls theamount of light emitted by each light source in light element array 236by generating a control signal 234 that is received by light elementarray 236. Control signal 234 may include one or more control signalsused to control the amount of light emitted by each light source inlight element array 236 to generate light 238. As described above,barrier array controller 206 is configured to generate control signal216 received by barrier element array 210. Control signal 216 mayinclude one or more control signals used to cause each of barrierelements 304 of barrier element array 302 to be transparent or opaque,to filter light 238 to generate filtered light 240. Pixel arraycontroller 228 is configured to generate a control signal 232 that isreceived by pixel array 222. Control signal 232 may include one or morecontrol signals used to cause pixels of pixel array 208 to imposedesired images (e.g., colors, grayscale, etc.) on filtered light 240 asit passes through pixel array 208. In this manner, pixel array 222generates filtered light 110 that includes one or more two-dimensionaland/or three-dimensional images that may be viewed by users 218 inviewing space 106.

For example, control signal 234 may control sets of light sources oflight element array 236 to emit light 238. Control signal 216 maycontrol barrier elements 304 of barrier element array 210 to filterlight 238 received from light element array 236 to enable filtered light240 to enable two- and/or three-dimensionality. Control signal 232 maycontrol sets of pixels of pixel array 222 to filter filtered light 240according to respective images, to provide a plurality of images. Forinstance, control signal 216 may select one or more sets of the barrierelements 304 of barrier element array 302 to be transparent, to enableone or more corresponding two-dimensional images to be delivered tousers 218. Furthermore, control signal 216 may control sections ofbarrier element array 210 to include opaque and transparent barrierelements 304 to filter the light received from light element array 236so that one or more pairs of images provided by pixel array 222 are eachenabled to be received by users 218 as a corresponding three-dimensionalimage. For example, control signal 216 may select parallel strips ofbarrier elements 304 of barrier element array 302 to be transparent toform slits that enable three-dimensional images to be received by users218.

Two-dimensional and three-dimensional images may be generated by system100 of FIG. 1 in various ways, in embodiments. For instance, FIG. 6shows a flowchart 600 for generating images that are delivered to usersin a viewing space, according to an example embodiment. Flowchart 600may be performed by system 200 in FIG. 2A or system 220 of FIG. 2B, forexample. Flowchart 600 is described with respect to FIG. 7, which showsa cross-sectional view of a display system 700. Display system 700 is anexample embodiment of system 200 shown in FIG. 2A, and is shown forpurposes of illustration. As shown in FIG. 7, system 700 includes apixel array 702 and a barrier element array 704. In another embodiment,system 700 may further include backlighting in a configuration similarto display system 220 of FIG. 2B. Further structural and operationalembodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s)based on the discussion regarding flowchart 600. Flowchart 600 isdescribed as follows.

Flowchart 600 begins with step 602. In step 602, light is received at anarray of barrier elements. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, light 252is received at parallax barrier 104 from pixel array 208 of imagegenerator 102. Each pixel of pixel array 208 may generate light that isreceived at parallax barrier 104. As described as follows, depending onthe particular display mode of parallax barrier 104, parallax barrier104 may filter light 252 from pixel array 208 to generate atwo-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image viewable in viewingspace 106 by users 218. As described above with respect to FIG. 2B,alternatively, light 238 may be received by parallax barrier 104 fromlight element array 236.

In step 604, a first set of the barrier elements of the array of barrierelements is configured in the blocking state and a second set of thebarrier elements of the array of barrier elements is configured in thenon-blocking state to enable a viewer to be delivered athree-dimensional view. Three-dimensional image content may be providedfor viewing in viewing space 106. In such case, referring to FIG. 2A or2B, barrier array controller 206 may generate control signal 216 toconfigure barrier element array 210 to include transparent strips ofbarrier elements to enable a three-dimensional view to be formed. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 7, barrier element array 704 includes aplurality of barrier elements that are each either transparent (in anon-blocking state) or opaque (in a blocking state). Barrier elementsthat are blocking are indicated as barrier elements 710 a-710 f, andbarrier elements that are non-blocking are indicated as barrier elements712 a-712 e. Further barrier elements may be included in barrier elementarray 704 that are not visible in FIG. 7. Each of barrier elements 710a-710 f and 712 a-712 e may include one or more barrier elements.Barrier elements 710 alternate with barrier elements 712 in series inthe order of barrier elements 710 a, 712 a, 710 b, 712 b, 710 c, 712 c,710 d, 712 d, 710 e, 712 e, and 710 f. In this manner, blocking barrierelements 710 are alternated with non-blocking barrier elements 712 toform a plurality of parallel non-blocking or transparent slits inbarrier element array 704.

For instance, FIG. 8A shows a view of parallax barrier 300 of FIG. 3with transparent slits, according to an example embodiment. As shown inFIG. 8A, parallax barrier 300 includes barrier element array 302, whichincludes a plurality of barrier elements 304 arranged in atwo-dimensional array. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8A, barrier elementarray 302 includes a plurality of parallel strips of barrier elements304 that are selected to be non-blocking to form a plurality of parallelnon-blocking strips (or “slits”) 802 a-802 g. As shown in FIG. 8A,parallel non-blocking strips 802 a-802 g (non-blocking slits) arealternated with parallel blocking or blocking strips 804 a-804 g ofbarrier elements 304 that are selected to be blocking. In the example ofFIG. 8A, non-blocking strips 802 a-802 g and blocking strips 804 a-804 geach have a width (along the x-dimension) of two barrier elements 304,and have lengths that extend along the entire y-dimension (twentybarrier elements 304) of barrier element array 304, although in otherembodiments, may have alternative dimensions. Non-blocking strips 802a-802 g and blocking strips 804 a-804 g form a parallax barrierconfiguration for parallax barrier 300. The spacing (and number) ofparallel non-blocking strips 802 in barrier element array 704 may beselectable by choosing any number and combination of particular stripsof barrier elements 304 in barrier element array 302 to be non-blocking,to be alternated with blocking strips 804, as desired.

FIG. 8B shows a parallax barrier 310 that is another example of barrierelement array 704 with parallel transparent slits, according to anembodiment. Similarly to parallax barrier 300 of FIG. 8A, parallaxbarrier 310 has includes a barrier element array 312, which includes aplurality of barrier elements 314 arranged in a two-dimensional array(28 by 1 array). Barrier elements 314 have widths (along thex-dimension) similar to the widths of barrier elements 304 in FIG. 8A,but have lengths that extend along the entire vertical length(y-dimension) of barrier element array 314. As shown in FIG. 8B, barrierelement array 312 includes parallel non-blocking strips 802 a-802 galternated with parallel blocking strips 804 a-804 g. In the example ofFIG. 8B, parallel non-blocking strips 802 a-802 g and parallel blockingstrips 804 a-804 g each have a width (along the x-dimension) of twobarrier elements 314, and have lengths that extend along the entirey-dimension (one barrier element 314) of barrier element array 312.

Referring back to FIG. 6, in step 606, the light is filtered at thearray of barrier elements to form the three-dimensional view in aviewing space. Barrier element array 210 of parallax barrier 210 isconfigured to filter light 252 received from pixel array 208 (FIG. 2A)or light 238 received from light element array 236 (FIG. 2B) accordingto whether barrier element array 210 is transparent or non-blocking(e.g., in a two-dimensional mode) or includes parallel non-blockingstrips (e.g., in a three-dimensional mode). If one or more portions ofbarrier element array 210 are transparent (e.g., barrier element array302 is shown entirely transparent in FIG. 3), those portions of barrierelement array 210 function as “all pass” filters to substantially passall of light 252 as filtered light 110 to deliver one or morecorresponding two-dimensional images generated by pixel array 208 toviewing space 106, to be viewable as a two-dimensional images in asimilar fashion as a conventional display. If barrier element array 210includes one or more portions having parallel non-blocking strips (e.g.,as shown for barrier element array 302 in FIGS. 8A and 8B), thoseportions of barrier element array 210 pass a portion of light 252 asfiltered light 110 to deliver one or more correspondingthree-dimensional images to viewing space 106.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, pixel array 702 includes a plurality ofpixels 714 a-714 d and 716 a-716 d. Pixels 714 alternate with pixels716, such that pixels 714 a-714 d and 716 a-716 d are arranged in seriesin the order of pixels 714 a, 716 a, 714 b, 716 b, 714 c, 716 c, 714 d,and 716 d. Further pixels may be included in pixel array 702 that arenot visible in FIG. 7, including further pixels along the widthdimension of pixel array 702 (e.g., in the left-right directions) aswell as pixels along a length dimension of pixel array 702 (not visiblein FIG. 7). Each of pixels 714 a-714 d and 716 a-716 d generates light,which emanates from display surface 724 of pixel array 702 (e.g.,generally upward in FIG. 7) towards barrier element array 704. Someexample indications of light emanating from pixels 714 a-714 d and 716a-716 d are shown in FIG. 7 (as dotted lines), including light 724 a andlight 718 a emanating from pixel 714 a, light 724 b, light 718 b, andlight 724 c emanating from pixel 714 b, etc.

Furthermore, light emanating from pixel array 702 is filtered by barrierelement array 704 to form a plurality of images in a viewing space 726,including a first image 706 a at a first location 708 a and a secondimage 706 b at a second location 708 b. A portion of the light emanatingfrom pixel array 702 is blocked by blocking barrier elements 710, whileanother portion of the light emanating from pixel array 702 passesthrough non-blocking barrier elements 712, according to the filtering bybarrier element array 704. For instance, light 724 a from pixel 714 a isblocked by blocking barrier element 710 a, and light 724 b and light 724c from pixel 714 b are blocked by blocking barrier elements 710 b and710 c, respectively. In contrast, light 718 a from pixel 714 a is passedby non-blocking barrier element 712 a and light 718 b from pixel 714 bis passed by non-blocking barrier element 712 b.

By forming parallel non-blocking slits in a barrier element array, lightfrom a pixel array can be filtered to form multiple images or views in aviewing space. For instance, system 700 shown in FIG. 7 is configured toform first and second images 706 a and 706 b at locations 708 a and 708b, respectively, which are positioned at a distance 728 from pixel array702 (as shown in FIG. 7, further instances of first and second images706 a and 706 b may be formed in viewing space 726 according to system700, in a repeating, alternating fashion). As described above, pixelarray 702 includes a first set of pixels 714 a-714 d and a second set ofpixels 716 a-716 d. Pixels 714 a-714 d correspond to first image 706 aand pixels 716 a-716 d correspond to second image 706 b. Due to thespacing of pixels 714 a-714 d and 716 a-716 d in pixel array 702, andthe geometry of non-blocking barrier elements 712 in barrier elementarray 704, first and second images 706 a and 706 b are formed atlocations 708 a and 708 b, respectively. As shown in FIG. 7, light 718a-718 d from the first set of pixels 714 a-714 d is focused at location708 a to form first image 706 a at location 708 a. Light 720 a-720 dfrom the second set of pixels 716 a-716 d is focused at location 708 bto form second image 706 b at location 708 b.

FIG. 7 shows a slit spacing 722 (center-to-center) of non-blockingbarrier elements 712 in barrier element array 704. Spacing 722 may bedetermined to select locations for parallel non-blocking slits to beformed in barrier element array 704 for a particular image distance 728at which images are desired to be formed (for viewing by users). Forexample, in an embodiment, if a spacing of pixels 714 a-714 dcorresponding to an image is known, and a distance 728 at which theimage is desired to be displayed is known, the spacing 722 betweenadjacent parallel non-blocking slits in barrier element array 704 may beselected. As shown in FIG. 9, in an embodiment, barrier array controller206 (of FIG. 2A or 2B) may include a slit spacing calculator 902. Slitspacing calculator 902 is configured to calculate spacing 722 for aparticular spacing of pixels and a desired distance for thecorresponding image to be formed, according to corresponding parallaxbarrier configurations.

For instance, FIG. 10 shows an example display system 1000, according toan example embodiment. Display system 1000 is generally similar tosystem 700 shown in FIG. 7, and includes pixel array 702 and barrierelement array 704. Pixel array 702 includes pixels 714 a-714 d and 716a-716 d, and barrier element array 704 includes blocking barrierelements 710 a-710 f and non-blocking barrier elements 712 a-712 e. Animage 1002 is desired to be formed at an image distance 1004 from pixelarray 702 based on pixels 714 a-714 d. Barrier element array 704 isseparated from pixel array 702 by a distance 1012. Adjacent pixels ofpixels 714 a-714 d (corresponding to the desired image) are separated bya pixel separation distance 1006. Spacing 722 for adjacent non-blockingbarrier elements 712 a-712 e (corresponding to non-blocking slits) isdesired to be selected to enable image 1002 to be formed at distance1004 from pixel array 702. For the configuration of display system 1000in FIG. 10, the following equation (Equation 1) holds:

distance 1006/distance 1004=spacing 722/(distance 1004−distance1012)  Equation 1

As such, spacing 722 may be calculated (e.g., by slit spacing calculator902) according to Equation 2 shown below, where slit spacing 722 is lessthan pixel separation distance 1006:

spacing 722=distance 1006×(distance 1004−distance 1012)/distance1004  Equation 2

For instance, in one example embodiment, distance 1006 may equal 1.0 mm,distance 1004 may equal 2.0 meters, and distance 1012 may equal 5.0 mm.In such an example, spacing 722 may be calculated according to Equation2 as follows:

spacing 722=1.0×(2000−5)/2000=0.9975 mm

In the above example, the centers of adjacent non-blocking barrierelements 712 a-712 e may be separated by spacing 722 of 0.9975 mm toform image 1002 at 2.0 meters from pixel array 702. As shown in FIG. 10,light 1010 a-1010 d emanated by pixels 714 a-714 d, as filtered bybarrier element array 704, forms image 1002 at location 1008. Separatingthe centers of adjacent non-blocking barrier elements 712 a-712 e by0.9975 mm (or other determined distance) may be accomplished in variousways, depending on the particular configuration of barrier element array704. For instance, in this example, a single barrier element widthnon-blocking slit may be formed in barrier element array 704 every0.9975 mm. Alternatively, a non-blocking slit may be formed in barrierelement array 704 every 0.9975 mm having a width of more than onebarrier element.

For example, if spacing 722 corresponds to the width of two barrierelements, single non-blocking barrier elements 712 having a width of0.9975/2=0.4988 mm may be alternated with single blocking barrierelements 710 having the width of 0.4988 mm in barrier element array 704.Alternatively, if spacing 722 corresponds to the width of more than twobarrier elements, one or more non-blocking barrier elements may bealternated with one or more blocking barrier elements to fornon-blocking slits every 0.9975 mm. In one example, single non-blockingbarrier elements 712 having a width of 0.9975/399=0.0025 mm may bealternated with three hundred and ninety-eight blocking barrier elements710 each having the width of 0.0025 mm in barrier element array 704. Inanother example, ten non-blocking barrier elements 712 each having awidth of 0.0025 mm may be alternated with three hundred and eighty-nineblocking barrier elements 710 each having the width of 0.0025 mm inbarrier element array 704.

Thus, referring to FIG. 7, first and second images 706 a and 706 b maybe formed by display system 700 at a distance 728 from pixel array 702by calculating a value for slit spacing 722 as described above. Equation2 is provided as one example technique for selecting non-blocking slitspacing, for purposes of illustration. Alternatively, other techniquesmay be used to calculate and/or determine values for slit spacing 722.For instance, in an embodiment, a lookup table that includespre-calculated values for slit spacing 722 may be maintained by barrierarray controller 206. The lookup table may be used to look up values forslit spacing 722 for corresponding values of image distance 1004 andpixel spacing 1006.

It is noted that in the examples of FIGS. 7 and 10, pixel array 702 andbarrier element array 704 are each shown as being substantially planar.In other embodiments, pixel array 702 and/or barrier element array 704may be curved (e.g., concave or convex relative to viewing space 726).As such, equations, lookup tables, etc., used to calculate values forslit spacing 722 and/or other parameters of a display system may beconfigured to account for such curvature, in a manner as would be knownto persons skilled in the relevant art(s).

First and second images 706 a and 706 b are configured to be perceivedby a user as a three-dimensional image or view. For example, FIG. 11shows display system 700 of FIG. 7, where a user 1104 receives firstimage 706 a at a first eye location 1102 a and second image 706 b at asecond eye location 1102 b, according to an example embodiment. Firstand second images 706 a and 706 b may be generated by first set ofpixels 714 a-714 d and second set of pixels 716 a-716 d as images thatare slightly different perspective from each other. Images 706 a and 706b are combined in the visual center of the brain of user 1104 to beperceived as a three-dimensional image or view.

In such an embodiment, first and second images 706 a and 706 b may beformed by display system 700 such that their centers are spaced apart awidth of a user's pupils (e.g., an “interocular distance” 1106). Forexample, the spacing of first and second images 706 a and 706 b may beapproximately 65 mm (or other suitable spacing) to generally beequivalent to interocular distance 1106. As described above, multipleinstances of first and second images 706 a and 706 b may be formed bydisplay system 700 that repeat in a viewing space. Thus, first andsecond images 706 a and 706 b shown in FIG. 11 that coincide with theleft and right eyes of user 1104 may be adjacent first and second images706 a and 706 b of the repeating instances that are separated byinterocular distance 1106. Alternatively, first and second images 706 aand 706 b shown in FIG. 11 coinciding with the left and right eyes ofuser 1104 may be separated by one or more instances of first and secondimages 706 a and 706 b of the repeating instances that happen to beseparated by interocular distance 1106.

It is noted that user 1102 of FIG. 11 may change positions in viewingspace 106 (FIG. 1), and as such parallax barrier 104 may adapt to adifferent parallax barrier configuration to cause the three-dimensionalview to be moved from the first position of user 1102 to the secondposition of user 1102. In such case, referring to FIG. 2A or 2B, barrierarray controller 206 may generate control signal 216 to configurebarrier element array 210 to include transparent strips of barrierelements configured to enable the three-dimensional view to be formed atthe second position. The next subsection describes example embodimentsfor configuring barrier element array 210 into further configurations ofblocking and non-blocking states to provide viewers with modifiedthree-dimensional views.

Furthermore, although FIGS. 7 and 11 show display system 700 having aconfiguration similar to display system 200 of FIG. 2A, alternatively,display system 700 may be configured similarly to display system 220 ofFIG. 2B to generate images 706 a and 706 b in viewing space 726. In suchan embodiment, barrier element array 704 may be positioned between abacklighting panel (that is positioned where pixel array 702 is shown inFIGS. 7 and 10) and pixel array 702, and pixel array 702 is configuredas a light filter (is not light emitting). The backlighting panel emitslight that is filtered by barrier element array 704 as described above,and the filtered light is filtered by pixel array 702 to impose imageson the light filtered by pixel array 702, forming images 706 a and 706 bas shown in FIGS. 7 and 10.

As described, in an embodiment, display system 700 may be configured togenerate a two-dimensional image for viewing by users in a viewingspace. For example, flowchart 600 (FIG. 6) may optionally include a step1202 shown in FIG. 12 to enable a two-dimensional view to be deliveredto users, according to an embodiment. In step 1202, the array of barrierelements is configured into a third configuration to deliver atwo-dimensional view. For example, in the third configuration, barrierarray controller 206 may generate control signal 216 to configure eachbarrier element of barrier element array 210 to be in the non-blockingstate (transparent). In such case, barrier element array 210 may beconfigured similarly to barrier element array 302 shown in FIG. 3, whereall barrier elements 304 are selected to be non-blocking. If barrierelement array 210 is transparent, barrier element array 210 functions asan “all pass” filter to substantially pass all of light 252 (FIG. 2A) orlight 238 (FIG. 2B) as filtered light 110 to deliver the two-dimensionalimage generated by pixel array 208 to viewing space 106, to be viewableas a two-dimensional image in a similar fashion as a conventionaldisplay.

B. Example Parallax Barrier Configurations

As described above, various characteristics of a parallax barrier may bemodified to provide various parallax barrier configurations that deliverthree-dimensional views with different characteristics and/or atdifferent locations (e.g., at a changed viewer position). For instance,FIG. 13 shows a step 1302 that may be performed in flowchart 600 (FIG.6) to provide a second or subsequent parallax barrier configuration,according to example embodiments. In step 1302, at least one of adistance between adjacent non-blocking slits of the plurality ofparallel non-blocking slits or a width of at least one non-blocking slitof the plurality of parallel non-blocking slits is modified. Forexample, referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a distance between adjacentnon-blocking strips 802 (e.g., center-to-center slit spacing 722 of FIG.7 and/or a width of one or more blocking strips 804) may be modifiedand/or a width of one or more non-blocking strips 802 may be modified.These and/or further parallax barrier parameters may be configured inany number of ways to create multiple additional parallax barrierconfigurations that each have a corresponding set of the barrierelements in the blocking state and a corresponding set of barrierelements in the non-blocking state to support a viewer located at anynumber of corresponding positions.

For instance, FIG. 14 shows a view of parallax barrier 300 of FIG. 3,according to an example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, parallaxbarrier 300 includes barrier element array 302, which includes aplurality of barrier elements 304 arranged in a two-dimensional array.Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, barrier element array 302 includes aplurality of parallel strips of barrier elements 304 that are selectedto be non-blocking to form a plurality of parallel non-blocking strips1402 a-1402 e. As shown in FIG. 14, parallel non-blocking strips 1402a-1402 e are alternated with parallel blocking strips 1404 a-1404 f ofbarrier elements 304 that are selected to be blocking. In the example ofFIG. 14, non-blocking strips 1402 a-1402 e each have a width (along thex-dimension) of two barrier elements 304, and blocking strips 1404a-1404 f each have a width of three barrier elements 304. Thus, relativeto FIGS. 8A and 8B, where blocking strips 804 a-804 g each have a widthof two barrier elements 304, blocking strips 1404 a-1404 g have beenmodified to be wider to form another parallax barrier configuration.

In embodiments, blocking strips may be modified to be wider or narrowerby any desired number of barrier elements 304, including a singlebarrier element (as in FIG. 14 versus FIG. 8A) or multiple barrierelements, including tens, hundreds, or even further numbers of barrierelements. A width of the blocking strips may be modified for variousreasons. For example, the width of the blocking strips may be modifiedto be wider to reduce a resolution and/or an intensity of the displayimage(s), to increase a distance at which views are delivered, and/or tomodify lateral positions of delivered views. Alternatively, the width ofthe blocking strips may be modified to be narrower to increase aresolution and/or an intensity of the display image(s), to decrease adistance at which views are delivered, and/or to modify lateralpositions of delivered views.

For instance, FIG. 15 shows a display system 1500, according to anexample embodiment. System 1500 is generally similar to system 700 ofFIG. 7, with differences described as follows. As shown in FIG. 15,system 1500 includes a pixel array 1502 and a barrier element array1504. System 1500 may also include display controller 202 of FIG. 2,which is not shown in FIG. 15 for ease of illustration. Pixel array 1502includes a first set of pixels 1514 a-1514 d and a second set of pixels1516 a-1516 d. First set of pixels 1514 a-1514 d and second set ofpixels 1516 a-1516 d are configured to generate corresponding images orviews that can be combined to be perceived as a single three-dimensionalimage or view. Pixels of the two sets of pixels are alternated in pixelarray 1502 in the order of pixel 1514 a, pixel 1516 a, pixel 1514 b,pixel 1516 b, etc. Further pixels may be included in each set of pixelsin pixel array 1502 that are not visible in FIG. 15, including hundreds,thousands, or millions of pixels in each set of pixels.

As shown in FIG. 15, barrier element array 1504 includes barrierelements that are each either transparent or opaque. As shown in FIG.15, barrier elements that are blocking are indicated as barrier elements1510 a-1510 f, and barrier elements that are non-blocking are indicatedas barrier elements 1512 a-1512 e. Blocking barrier elements 1510 arealternated with non-blocking barrier elements 1512 to form a pluralityof parallel non-blocking slits in barrier element array 1504, similarlyto barrier element array 304 shown in FIG. 8A. Light emanating frompixel array 1502 is filtered by barrier element array 1504 to form firstand second images 1506 a and 1506 b at locations 1508 a and 1508 b,respectively, in a manner as described above. As shown in FIG. 15,barrier elements 1512 a-1512 e are each wider relative to barrierelements 710 a-710 f of FIG. 7, while a spacing of pixels 1514 a-1514 dis similar to the spacing of pixels 714 a-714 d in FIG. 7. As such, adistance 1524 at which first and second images 1506 a and 1506 b areformed from pixel array 1502 is greater than distance 728 at which firstand second images 706 a and 706 b are formed from pixel array 702 inFIG. 7. In this manner, if user 1104 (FIG. 11) has moved from a firstposition in viewing space 106 at distance 728 to a second position inviewing space 106 at distance 1524, the three-dimensional view may stillbe delivered to user 1104 by reconfiguring parallax barrier 704 from afirst configuration to a second configuration. Configurations ofparallax barrier 704 may enable views to be delivered to user 1104 atlesser and greater distances than distance 728.

For example, Equation 2 shown above may be rewritten as Equation 3 shownbelow to solve for distance 1004 in FIG. 10 as factor of spacing 722:

distance 1004=(distance 1006×distance 1012)/(distance 1006−spacing722)  Equation 3

As indicated by Equation 3, if spacing 722 is less than the value ofdistance 1006, and is increased towards the value of distance 1006,distance 1004 increases. If spacing 722 is less than the value ofdistance 1006, and is decreased further from the value of distance 1006,distance 1004 decreases.

C. Example Embodiments Enabling Multiple Simultaneous Three-DimensionalViews

As described above, in embodiments, a parallax barrier may be configuredto enable two or more three-dimensional views to be simultaneouslydelivered to a viewer. For example, in an embodiment, a flowchart 1600shown in FIG. 16 may be performed during step 604 of flowchart 600 (FIG.6) to enable multiple simultaneous three-dimensional views. In step 1602of flowchart 1600, the first set of the barrier elements of the array ofbarrier elements are configured in the blocking state and the second setof the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements are configuredin the non-blocking state to enable a viewer to be delivered the firstthree-dimensional view. In step 1604 of flowchart 1600, a third set ofthe barrier elements of the array of barrier elements are configured inthe blocking state and a fourth set of the barrier elements of the arrayof barrier elements are configured in the non-blocking state to enablethe viewer to be delivered a second three-dimensional view.

Thus, according to flowchart 1600, a first three-dimensional view isenabled by a first set of barrier elements in the blocking state and asecond set of barrier elements in the non-blocking state, and a secondthree-dimensional view is enabled by a third set of barrier elements inthe blocking state and a fourth set of barrier elements in thenon-blocking state, where the first-fourth sets of barrier elements arenon-overlapping. As such, a first portion of a display devicecorresponding to the first and second sets of barrier elements deliversthe first three-dimensional view to the viewer, and a second portion ofthe display device corresponding to the third and fourth sets of barrierelements simultaneously delivers the first three-dimensional view to theviewer. In embodiments, a barrier element array may include any numberof such portions (that each include a set of blocking elements and a setof non-blocking barrier elements) to simultaneously deliver acorresponding number of three-dimensional views. Furthermore, thedifferent regions of the barrier element array may be configureddifferently to deliver three-dimensional views having differentcharacteristics, including providing differing degrees of stereoscopicthree-dimensionality, views at different distances from the displaydevice, and/or other different characteristics described elsewhereherein.

For instance, as indicated in step 1302 (FIG. 13), a width of one ormore non-blocking slits in a barrier element array may be modified. Forexample, FIG. 17 shows a view of parallax barrier 300 of FIG. 3 withdifferent width transparent slits, according to an example embodiment.As shown in FIG. 17, parallax barrier 300 includes barrier element array302, which includes a plurality of barrier elements 304 arranged in atwo-dimensional array. A first portion 1710 (e.g., a left half) ofbarrier element array 302 includes a first set of parallel strips ofbarrier elements 304 that are selected to be non-blocking to form afirst plurality of parallel non-blocking strips 1702 a-1702 d. As shownin FIG. 17, parallel non-blocking strips 1702 a-1702 d are alternatedwith a second set of parallel strips of barrier element 302 that areselected to be blocking—parallel blocking strips 1704 a-1704 d. In theexample of FIG. 17, non-blocking strips 1702 a-1702 d each have a width(along the x-dimension) of two barrier elements 304, and blocking strips1704 a-1704 d each have a width of two barrier elements 304.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17, a second portion 1712 (e.g., a righthalf) of barrier element array 302 includes a third set of parallelstrips of barrier elements 304 that are selected to be transparent toform a second plurality of parallel non-blocking strips 1706 a-1706 f.As shown in FIG. 17, parallel non-blocking strips 1706 a-1706 f arealternated with a fourth set of parallel strips of barrier element 302that are selected to be blocking—parallel blocking strips 1708 a-1708 f.In the example of FIG. 17, non-blocking strips 1706 a-1706 f each have awidth of one barrier element 304, and blocking strips 1708 a-1708 f eachhave a width of one barrier element 304. As such, in FIG. 17, first andthird sets of parallel non-blocking strips 1702 a-1702 d and 1706 a-1706f are present in barrier element array 302 that have different widths.First portion 1710 and second portion 1712 of barrier element array 302enable corresponding three-dimensional views to be delivered to aviewer, according to steps 1602 and 1604 of flowchart 1600,respectively.

Thus, in embodiments, a width of non-blocking slits in a barrier elementmay be modified in different barrier array configurations. The width ofthe non-blocking slits may be modified to have any width of one or morebarrier elements 304. Furthermore, one or more portions of a barrierelement array may include non-blocking slits having widths that aredifferent than the widths of non-blocking slits elsewhere in the barrierelement array to provide corresponding three-dimensional views. Thewidths of non-blocking slits may be widened or narrowed for variousreasons, including decreasing or increasing display resolution,decreasing or increasing clarity of images generated by one or moreportions of the barrier element array, etc. Furthermore, othercharacteristics of the different portions of the barrier element arraymay be modified in a similar manner to enable multiple three-dimensionalviews to be delivered to a viewer from a display device, includingmodifying the distance between adjacent non-blocking slits, a width ofthe parallel non-blocking slits, etc.

D. Example Image Orientation Embodiments

As described above, in embodiments, parallel transparent slits may beimplemented in a barrier element array to generate three-dimensionalimages. In such an embodiment, the slits are oriented such that an axisthat crosses through both eyes of a user (e.g., user 1104 in FIG. 11) isperpendicular to an axis along the length of the transparent slits. Assuch, a user sitting or standing in a viewing space sits or stands suchthat their body is generally aligned parallel to the transparent slits.Thus, in an embodiment, an orientation of the transparent slits of abarrier element array may be selected to be aligned with the body of auser. Furthermore, according to flowchart 1600 of FIG. 16, theorientation of transparent slits of a barrier element array may beconfigured on a portion-by-portion of the barrier element array basis.Each section of the barrier element array may include transparent slitsthat are aligned with a corresponding user to simultaneously delivermultiple three-dimensional views of different orientations to users in aviewing space.

For instance, FIG. 18 shows a step 1802 that may be performed duringflowchart 600, according to example embodiments. In step 1802, a firstnon-blocking strip of the plurality of parallel non-blocking slits isoriented perpendicularly to a second non-blocking strip of the pluralityof parallel non-blocking slits. For instance, FIG. 19 shows a view ofparallax barrier 300 of FIG. 3 with transparent slits having differentorientations, according to an example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19,parallax barrier 300 includes barrier element array 302, which includesa plurality of barrier elements 304 arranged in a two-dimensional array.A first portion 1910 (e.g., a bottom half) of barrier element array 302includes a first plurality of parallel strips of barrier elements 304that are selected to be non-blocking to form a first plurality ofparallel non-blocking strips 1902 a-1902 e (each having a width of twobarrier elements 304). As shown in FIG. 19, parallel non-blocking strips1902 a-1902 e are alternated with parallel blocking strips 1904 a-1904 fof barrier elements 304 (each having a width of three barrier elements304). Parallel non-blocking strips 1902 a-1902 e are oriented in a firstdirection (e.g., along a vertical axis).

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 19, a second portion 1912 (e.g., a tophalf) of barrier element array 302 includes a second plurality ofparallel strips of barrier elements 304 that are selected to benon-blocking to form a second plurality of parallel non-blocking strips1906 a-1906 d (each having a width of one barrier element 304). As shownin FIG. 19, parallel non-blocking strips 1906 a-1906 d are alternatedwith parallel blocking strips 1908 a-1908 c of barrier elements 304(each having a width of two barrier elements 304). Parallel non-blockingstrips 1906 a-1906 d are oriented in a second direction (e.g., along ahorizontal axis).

As such, in FIG. 19, first and second pluralities of parallelnon-blocking strips 1902 a-1902 e and 1906 a-1906 d are present inbarrier element array 302 that are oriented perpendicularly to eachother. The portion of barrier element array 302 that includes firstplurality of parallel non-blocking strips 1902 a-1902 e may beconfigured to deliver a three-dimensional image in a viewing space (asdescribed above) to be viewable by a user whose body is orientedvertically (e.g., sitting upright or standing up). The portion ofbarrier element array 302 that includes second plurality of parallelnon-blocking strips 1906 a-1906 d may be configured to deliver athree-dimensional image in a viewing space (as described above) to beviewable by a user whose body is oriented horizontally (e.g., layingdown). In this manner, users who are oriented differently relative toeach other can still each be provided with a correspondingthree-dimensional image that accommodates their position.

Note that in the example of FIG. 19, although a single portion (portion1910) of barrier element array 302 is configured to generate avertically oriented three-dimensional image, and a single portion(portion 1912) of barrier element array 302 is configured to generate ahorizontally oriented three-dimensional image, any number of portions ofa barrier element array may be configured to generate correspondingvertically oriented and/or horizontally oriented three-dimensionalimages. Furthermore, although horizontally and vertically orientedthree-dimensional images are enabled by barrier element array 304 ofFIG. 19, three-dimensional images of any orientation, including anyangle between horizontal and vertical, may be enabled by providingparallel non-blocking strips in barrier element array 302 of the desiredangle (and by providing corresponding pixels in the pixel array arrangedaccording to the desired angle). For example, a single barrier-elementwidth non-blocking strip angled between horizontal and vertical may beformed by placing a linear arrangement of barrier elements 304distributed over multiple columns of barrier element array 302 in thenon-blocking state.

E. Example Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Image DisplayEmbodiments

In embodiments, a barrier element array may be configured to enable anycombination and number of two-dimensional images and/orthree-dimensional images to be displayed simultaneously. For example,the barrier element array may include one or more transparent portionsto deliver one or more two-dimensional images and one or more portionsthat include parallel transparent slits to deliver one or morethree-dimensional images. For instance, FIG. 20 shows a flowchart 2000that may be performed during step 604 of flowchart 600 (FIG. 6) toenable the display of two-dimensional and three-dimensional images,according to an example embodiment. Flowchart 2000 is described asfollows with respect to FIG. 21. FIG. 21 shows a display system 2100configured to generate two-dimensional and three-dimensional images,according to an example embodiment.

In step 2002 of flowchart 2000, a first set of barrier elements of thebarrier element array is configured to filter light from the first setof pixels to form a first image at a right eye location and to filterlight from the second set of pixels to form a second image at a left eyelocation. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, system 2100 includes a pixelarray 2102 and a barrier element array 2104. System 2100 may alsoinclude display controller 202 of FIG. 2, which is not shown in FIG. 21for ease of illustration. Pixel array 2102 includes a first set ofpixels 2114 a-2114 d and a second set of pixels 2116 a-2116 c. First setof pixels 2114 a-2114 d and second set of pixels 2116 a-2116 c areconfigured to generate images at left-eye and right-eye locations thatcombine to form a three-dimensional image in a similar fashion asdescribed above (e.g., with respect to FIGS. 7 and 11). Pixels of thetwo sets of pixels are alternated in pixel array 2102 in the order ofpixel 2114 a, pixel 2116 a, pixel 2114 b, pixel 2116 b, etc. (furtherpixels may be included). Barrier element array 2104 includes a firstportion 2118 and a second portion 2120. First portion 2118 of barrierelement array 2104 is positioned adjacent to first and second sets ofpixels 2114 a-2114 d and 2116 a-2116 c. First portion 2118 includesbarrier elements that are blocking indicated as barrier elements 2110a-2110 e, and barrier elements that are non-blocking are indicated asbarrier elements 2112 a-2112 d. Blocking barrier elements 2110 arealternated with non-blocking barrier elements 2112 to form a pluralityof parallel non-blocking slits in barrier element array 2104, similarlyto barrier element array 304 shown in FIG. 8. Light emanating from pixelarray 2102 is filtered by portion 2118 of barrier element array 2104 todeliver first and second images 2106 a and 2106 b, respectively, to auser in viewing space as described above.

In step 2004, a second set of barrier elements of the barrier elementarray is selected to be non-blocking to pass light from the third set ofpixels to form a third image. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, pixelarray 2102 further includes a third set of pixels 2108 a and 2108 b(further pixels may be included in the third set of pixels). Secondportion 2120 of barrier element array 2104 is positioned adjacent tothird set of pixels 2108 a-2108 b. Second portion 2120 includes barrierelements that are non-blocking, indicated as barrier elements 2112 e. Noblocking barrier elements are included in second portion 2120. As such,light emanating from third set of pixels 2108 a-2108 b passes throughsecond portion 2120 of barrier element array 2104 without being filteredto be delivered as a third image 2106 c to the user in the viewingspace. Third image 2106 c is a two-dimensional image, and may beviewable throughout the viewing space.

As such, in FIG. 21, a three-dimensional image (based on the combinationof first and second images 2106 a and 2106 b) and a two-dimensionalimage are generated by display system 2100. Although in the example ofFIG. 21 a single three-dimensional image and a single two-dimensionalimage are generated by display system 2100, any number oftwo-dimensional and three-dimensional images may be simultaneouslygenerated by a display system, in embodiments. Furthermore, thetwo-dimensional and three-dimensional images may have any size. Forinstance, FIGS. 22 and 23 show views of barrier element array 302 ofFIG. 3 configured to enable the simultaneous display of two-dimensionaland three-dimensional images of various sizes, according to exampleembodiments. In FIG. 22, a first portion 2202 of barrier element array302 is configured similarly to barrier element array 300 of FIG. 8,including a plurality of parallel non-blocking strips alternated withparallel blocking strips that together fill first portion 2202. A secondportion 2204 of barrier element array 302 is surrounded by first portion2202. Second portion 2204 is a rectangular shaped portion of barrierelement array 302 that includes a two-dimensional array of barrierelements 304 that are non-blocking. Thus, in FIG. 22, barrier elementarray 302 is configured to enable a three-dimensional image to begenerated by pixels of a pixel array that are adjacent to barrierelements of first portion 2202, and to enable a two-dimensional image tobe generated by pixels of the pixel array that are adjacent to barrierelements inside of second portion 2204.

In FIG. 23, barrier element array 302 includes a first portion 2302 anda second portion 2304. First portion 2302 includes a two-dimensionalarray of barrier elements 304 that are non-blocking. Second portion 2304is rectangular shaped, and is contained within first portion 2302.Second portion 2304 includes a plurality of parallel non-blocking stripsalternated with parallel blocking strips that together fill secondportion 2304 of barrier element array 302. Thus, in FIG. 23, barrierelement array 302 is configured to enable a two-dimensional image to begenerated by pixels of a pixel array that are adjacent to barrierelements of first portion 2302, and to enable a three-dimensional imageto be generated by pixels of the pixel array that are adjacent tobarrier elements inside of second portion 2304.

It is noted that although second portions 2204 and 2304 are shown forillustrative purposes in FIGS. 22 and 23 as being rectangular areas,second portions 2204 and 2304 may have other shapes, including circular,triangular or other polygon, irregular, or any other shape (e.g., ashape of a person, a cartoon character, object, etc.).

Furthermore, although flowchart 2000 (and FIGS. 21-23) relate to atwo-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image being provided by adisplay system simultaneously, in embodiments, two or moretwo-dimensional images or two or more three-dimensional images may beprovided by a display system simultaneously. For instance, in anembodiment, step 2002 of flowchart 2000 may be repeated to form fourthand fifth images corresponding to another three-dimensional image.Additionally or alternatively, step 2004 may be repeated to form a sixthimage corresponding to another two-dimensional image. Any number ofadditional two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional images may be formedin this manner by corresponding regions of a display.

F. Example Viewer Position Determining and Image Tuning Embodiments

As described above, parallax barriers may be reconfigured to change thelocations of delivered views based on changing viewer positions. Assuch, a position of a viewer may be determined/tracked so that aparallax barrier may be reconfigured to deliver views consistent withthe changing position of the viewer. In embodiments, a position of aviewer may be determined/tracked by determining a position of the viewerdirectly, or by determining a position of a device associated with theviewer (e.g., a device worn by the viewer, held by the viewer, sittingin the viewer's lap, in the viewer's pocket, sitting next the viewer,etc.). If multiple viewers are in a viewing space that are beingdelivered corresponding views (e.g., first and second viewers beingdelivered first and second three-dimensional views, respectively), theposition of each viewer may be determined so that a parallax barrier maybe reconfigured to deliver the views consistent with the changingpositions of the viewers.

For instance, FIG. 24 shows a block diagram of a display environment2400, according to an example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 24, displayenvironment 2400 includes a display device 2402, a remote device 2404,and a viewer 2406. Display device 2402 is an example of display system112 of FIG. 1, and may be configured similarly to display device 250(FIG. 2A) or display device 260 (FIG. 2B) in embodiments. Viewer 2406 isdelivered a three-dimensional view 2408 by display device 2402 (displaydevice 2402 may optionally also deliver a two-dimensional view to viewer2406). Remote device 2404 is a device that viewer 2406 may use tointeract with display device 2402. For example, remote device 2404 maybe a remote control, a headset, game controller, a smart phone, or otherdevice. Display device 2402 and/or remote device 2404 may operate toprovide position information 2410 regarding user 2406 to display device2402. Display device 2402 may use position information 2410 toreconfigure a parallax barrier of display device 2402 to enable view2408 to be delivered to viewer 2406 at various positions for viewer2406. For example, display device 2402 and/or remote device 2404 may usepositioning techniques to track the position of viewer 2406.

Remote device 2404 may be configured in various ways to enable theposition of viewer 2406 to be tracked. For instance, FIG. 25 shows ablock diagram of remote device 2404, according to an example embodiment.As shown in FIG. 25, remote device 2404 may include a transmitter 2502,a positioning module 2504, a position calculator 2506, a user interfacemodule 2508, one or more camera(s) 2510, and an image processing system2512. Remote device 2404 may include one or more of these elements shownin FIG. 25, depending on the particular embodiment. These elements ofremote device 2404 are described as follows.

Positioning module 2504 may be included in remote device 2404 todetermine a position of remote device 2404 according to a positioningtechnique, such triangulation or trilateration. For instance,positioning module 2504 may include one or more receivers that receivesatellite broadcast signals (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)module that receives signals from GPS satellites). Position calculator2506 may calculate the position of remote device 2404 by preciselytiming the received signals according to GPS techniques. In anotherembodiment, positioning module 2504 may include one or more receiversthat receive signals transmitted by display device 2402 that are used byposition calculator 2506 to calculate the position of remote device2404. In other embodiments, positioning module 2504 and positioncalculator 2506 may implement other types of positioning techniques.

User interface module 2508 may be present to enable viewer 2406 tointeract with remote device 2404. For example, user interface module2508 may include any number and combination of user interface elements,such as a keyboard, a thumb wheel, a pointing device, a roller ball, astick pointer, a joystick, a thumb pad, a display, a touch sensitivedisplay, any number of virtual interface elements, a voice recognitionsystem, a haptic interface, and/or other user interface elementsdescribed elsewhere herein or otherwise known. User interface module2508 may be configured to enable viewer 2406 to manually enter positioninformation for viewer 2406 into remote device 2404, including manuallyentering coordinates of viewer 2406 in viewing space 106, entering anindication of a predetermined location in viewing space 106 into remotedevice 2404 (e.g., a “location A”, a “seat D,” etc.), or providingposition information in any other manner.

Camera(s) 2510 may be present in remote device 2404 to enable opticalposition detection of viewer 2406. For example, camera(s) 2510 may bepointed by viewer 2406 at display device 2402, which may display asymbol or code, and one or more images of the displayed symbol or codemay be captured by camera(s) 2510. Image processing system 2512 mayreceive the captured image(s), and determine a position of remote device2404 relative to display device 2402 based on the captured image(s). Forexample, in an embodiment, camera(s) 2510 may include a pair of cameras,and image processing system 2512 may perform dual image processing todetermine the position of remote device 2404 relative to display device2402.

Transmitter 2502 is configured to transmit position information 2410 todisplay device 2402 from remote device 2404. Position information 2410may include a determined position for remote device 2404 (e.g.,calculated by position calculator 2506 or image processing system 2512),and/or may include captured data (e.g., received signal data received bypositioning module 2504, images captured by camera(s) 2510, etc.) sothat display device 2402 may determine the position of remote device2404 based on the captured data.

Display device 2402 may have any form, such as any one or more of adisplay or monitor, a game console, a set top box, a stereo receiver, acomputer, any other display device mentioned elsewhere herein orotherwise known, or any combination of such devices. Display device 2402may be configured in various ways to enable the position of viewer 2406to be tracked. For instance, FIG. 26 shows a block diagram of displaydevice 2402, according to an example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 25,display device 2402 may include a position determiner module 2614configured to determine a position of one or more viewers. Positiondeterminer module 2614 may include a receiver 2602, one or moretransmitter(s) 2604, a position calculator 2606, a microphone array2608, one or more camera(s) 2610, and an image processing system 2512.Position determiner module 2614 may include one or more of theseelements, depending on the particular embodiment. As shown in FIG. 26,position determiner module 2614 generates position information 2616based on one or more of receiver 2602, transmitter(s) 2604, positioncalculator 2606, microphone array 2608, camera(s) 2610, and imageprocessing system 2512. Position information 2616 may be received bydisplay controller 202, and used by display controller 242 to adaptdisplay device 2402 (e.g., adapting one or more of parallax barrier 104,pixel array 114, and/or backlighting 116 of FIG. 1 according tocorresponding control signals) to deliver views to viewer 2406 as viewer2406 may reposition within a viewing space. These elements of displaydevice 2402 are described as follows.

When present, microphone array 2608 includes one or more microphonesthat may be positioned in various microphone locations in and/or arounddisplay device 2402 to capture sounds (e.g., voice) from viewer 2406.Microphone array 2608 produces signals representative of the receivedsounds, which may be received by position calculator 2606. Positioncalculator 2606 may be configured to use the received signals todetermine the location of viewer 2406. For example, position calculator2606 may use voice recognition techniques to determine that the soundsare received from viewer 2406, and may perform audio localizationtechniques to determine a position of viewer 2406 based on the sounds.

Camera(s) 2610 may be present in display device 2402 to enable opticalposition detection of viewer 2406. For example, camera(s) 2610 may bepointed from display device 2402 to viewing space 106 to capture imagesof viewer 2406 and/or remote device 2404. Viewer 2406 and/or remotedevice 2404 may optionally display a symbol or code, and the displayedsymbol or code may be captured in the images. Image processing system2612 may receive the captured image(s), and determine a position ofviewer 2406 and/or remote device 2404 relative to display device 2402based on the captured image(s) (e.g., using facial recognition, imageprocessing of the symbol or code, etc.). For example, in an embodiment,camera(s) 2610 may include a pair of cameras, and image processingsystem 2612 may perform dual image processing to determine the positionof viewer 2406 and/or remote device 2404 relative to display device2402.

When present, transmitter(s) may be configured to transmit signals thatmay be received by positioning module 2504 to determine a position ofremote device 2404, as described above with respect to FIG. 25.

Receiver 2602 may be configured to receive position information 2410from remote device 2404. As described above, position information 2410may include a determined position for remote device 2404 and/or mayinclude captured data (e.g., received signal data, images, etc.).Display device 2402 may determine the position of remote device 2404based on the captured data. For example, position calculator 2506 maydetermine a position of remote device 2404 based on the signal datareceived by positioning module 2504 at remote device 2404.Alternatively, image processing system 2512 may determine a position ofremote device 2404 based on the images captured by camera(s) 2510 atremote device 2404.

In embodiments with multiple viewers that are receiving correspondingdifferent views, the position of each viewer may be tracked in a similarmanner (e.g., each viewer may have a corresponding remote device 2404)so that display device 2402 may be adapted to deliver views to themultiple viewers as they may reposition within the viewing space.

III. Example Display Controller Implementations

Display controller 202, pixel array controller 204, barrier arraycontroller 206, pixel array controller 228, light source controller 230,slit spacing calculator 902, positioning module 2504, positioncalculator 2506, image processing system 2512, position determinermodule 2614, position calculator 2606, and image processing system 2612may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combinationthereof. For example, display controller 202, pixel array controller204, barrier array controller 206, pixel array controller 228, lightsource controller 230, slit spacing calculator 902, positioning module2504, position calculator 2506, image processing system 2512, positiondeterminer module 2614, position calculator 2606, and/or imageprocessing system 2612 may be implemented as computer program codeconfigured to be executed in one or more processors. Alternatively,display controller 202, pixel array controller 204, barrier arraycontroller 206, pixel array controller 228, light source controller 230,slit spacing calculator 902, positioning module 2504, positioncalculator 2506, image processing system 2512, position determinermodule 2614, position calculator 2606, and/or image processing system2612 may be implemented as hardware logic/electrical circuitry.

For instance, FIG. 27 shows a block diagram of an example implementationof display controller 202, according to an embodiment. In embodiments,display controller 202 may include one or more of the elements shown inFIG. 27. As shown in the example of FIG. 27, display controller 202 mayinclude one or more processors (also called central processing units, orCPUs), such as a processor 2704. Processor 2704 is connected to acommunication infrastructure 2702, such as a communication bus. In someembodiments, processor 2704 can simultaneously operate multiplecomputing threads.

Display controller 202 also includes a primary or main memory 2706, suchas random access memory (RAM). Main memory 2706 has stored thereincontrol logic 2728A (computer software), and data.

Display controller 202 also includes one or more secondary storagedevices 2710. Secondary storage devices 2710 include, for example, ahard disk drive 2712 and/or a removable storage device or drive 2714, aswell as other types of storage devices, such as memory cards and memorysticks. For instance, display controller 202 may include an industrystandard interface, such a universal serial bus (USB) interface forinterfacing with devices such as a memory stick. Removable storage drive2714 represents a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compactdisk drive, an optical storage device, tape backup, etc.

Removable storage drive 2714 interacts with a removable storage unit2716. Removable storage unit 2716 includes a computer useable orreadable storage medium 2724 having stored therein computer software2728B (control logic) and/or data. Removable storage unit 2716represents a floppy disk, magnetic tape, compact disk, DVD, opticalstorage disk, or any other computer data storage device. Removablestorage drive 2714 reads from and/or writes to removable storage unit2716 in a well known manner.

Display controller 202 further includes a communication or networkinterface 2718. Communication interface 2718 enables the displaycontroller 202 to communicate with remote devices. For example,communication interface 2718 allows display controller 202 tocommunicate over communication networks or mediums 2742 (representing aform of a computer useable or readable medium), such as LANs, WANs, theInternet, etc. Network interface 2718 may interface with remote sites ornetworks via wired or wireless connections.

Control logic 2728C may be transmitted to and from display controller202 via the communication medium 2742.

Any apparatus or manufacture comprising a computer useable or readablemedium having control logic (software) stored therein is referred toherein as a computer program product or program storage device. Thisincludes, but is not limited to, display controller 202, main memory2706, secondary storage devices 2710, and removable storage unit 2716.Such computer program products, having control logic stored thereinthat, when executed by one or more data processing devices, cause suchdata processing devices to operate as described herein, representembodiments of the invention.

Devices in which embodiments may be implemented may include storage,such as storage drives, memory devices, and further types ofcomputer-readable media. Examples of such computer-readable storagemedia include a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a removableoptical disk, flash memory cards, digital video disks, random accessmemories (RAMs), read only memories (ROM), and the like. As used herein,the terms “computer program medium” and “computer-readable medium” areused to generally refer to the hard disk associated with a hard diskdrive, a removable magnetic disk, a removable optical disk (e.g.,CDROMs, DVDs, etc.), zip disks, tapes, magnetic storage devices, MEMS(micro-electromechanical systems) storage, nanotechnology-based storagedevices, as well as other media such as flash memory cards, digitalvideo discs, RAM devices, ROM devices, and the like. Suchcomputer-readable storage media may store program modules that includecomputer program logic for display controller 202, pixel arraycontroller 204, barrier array controller 206, pixel array controller228, light source controller 230, slit spacing calculator 902,positioning module 2504, position calculator 2506, image processingsystem 2512, position determiner module 2614, position calculator 2606,image processing system 2612, flowchart 600, step 1202, step 1302,flowchart 1600, step 1802, flowchart 2000 (including any one or moresteps of flowcharts 600, 1600, and 2000), and/or further embodiments ofthe present invention described herein. Embodiments of the invention aredirected to computer program products comprising such logic (e.g., inthe form of program code or software) stored on any computer useablemedium. Such program code, when executed in one or more processors,causes a device to operate as described herein.

The invention can work with software, hardware, and/or operating systemimplementations other than those described herein. Any software,hardware, and operating system implementations suitable for performingthe functions described herein can be used.

As described herein, display controller 202 may be implemented inassociation with a variety of types of display devices. Such displaydevices may be implemented in or in association with a variety of typesof media devices, such as a stand-alone display (e.g., a televisiondisplay such as flat panel display, etc.), a computer, a game console, aset top box, a digital video recorder (DVR), etc. Media content that isdelivered in two-dimensional or three-dimensional form according toembodiments described herein may be stored locally or received fromremote locations. For instance, such media content may be locally storedfor playback (replay TV, DVR), may be stored in removable memory (e.g.DVDs, memory sticks, etc.), may be received on wireless and/or wiredpathways through a network such as a home network, through Internetdownload streaming, through a cable network, a satellite network, and/ora fiber network, etc. For instance, FIG. 27 shows a first media content2730A that is stored in hard disk drive 2712, a second media content2730B that is stored in storage medium 2724 of removable storage unit2716, and a third media content 2730C that may be remotely stored andreceived over communication medium 2722 by communication interface 2718.Media content 2730 may be stored and/or received in these manners and/orin other ways.

IV. Conclusion

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilledin the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not belimited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but shouldbe defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

1. A display system that delivers multiple pairs of left eye views and right eye views to a viewer, the viewer being enabled to perceive each delivered pair as a three-dimensional view, the display system comprising: a pixel array; and an array of barrier elements positioned proximate to the pixel array, each of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements having a blocking state and a non-blocking state; a first set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the blocking state and a second set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the non-blocking state; a third set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the blocking state and a fourth set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the non-blocking state; and the first and second sets of barrier elements being configured to enable a first three-dimensional view to be delivered to a viewer, and the third and fourth sets of barrier elements being configured to enable a second three-dimensional view to be delivered to the viewer simultaneously to the first three-dimensional view.
 2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the pixel array includes a first set of pixels, a second set of pixels, a third set of pixels, and a fourth set of pixels; and wherein the first and second sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements filter light from the pixel array to form a first image corresponding to the first set of pixels at a first right eye location and to form a second image corresponding to the second set of pixels at a first left eye location, and the third and fourth sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements filter light from the pixel array to form a third image corresponding to the third set of pixels at a second right eye location and to form a fourth image corresponding to the fourth set of pixels at a second left eye location.
 3. The display system of claim 2, wherein the pixel array further includes a fifth set of pixels; and wherein a fifth set of barrier elements of the array of barrier elements is selected to be non-blocking to pass light from the fifth set of pixels to form a fifth image, the fifth image being configured to be perceived as a two-dimensional image by the viewer.
 4. The display system of claim 1, further comprising: a backlighting panel; wherein the pixel array includes a first set of pixels, a second set of pixels, a third set of pixels, and a fourth set of pixels; wherein the array of barrier elements is positioned between the backlighting panel and the pixel array, and the pixel array is positioned between the array of barrier elements and a viewing space; wherein the backlighting panel emits light that is filtered by the first and second sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements, and the light filtered by the first and second sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements is filtered by the first and second sets of pixels to deliver the first three-dimensional view to the viewer; and wherein the light emitted by the backlighting panel is filtered by the third and fourth sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements, and the light filtered by the third and fourth sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements is filtered by the third and fourth sets of pixels to deliver the second three-dimensional view to the viewer.
 5. The display system of claim 4, wherein the pixel array further includes a fifth set of pixels; wherein a fifth set of barrier elements of the array of barrier elements is selected to be non-blocking; and wherein the light emitted by the backlighting panel passes through the fifth set of barrier elements and the fifth set of pixels to deliver the two-dimensional image to the viewer.
 6. The display system of claim 1, wherein the barrier elements of the first set are arranged in a first plurality of parallel blocking strips and the barrier elements of the second set are arranged in a first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips interleaved with the first plurality of blocking parallel strips; and wherein the barrier elements of the third set are arranged in a second plurality of parallel blocking strips and the barrier elements of the fourth set are arranged in a second plurality of parallel non-blocking strips interleaved with the second plurality of blocking parallel strips.
 7. The display system of claim 6, wherein a non-blocking strip of the first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips has a first width corresponding to a first number of barrier elements selected to be non-blocking, and a non-blocking strip of the second plurality of parallel non-blocking strips has a second width corresponding to a second number of barrier elements selected to be non-blocking, the first width being different from the second width.
 8. The display system of claim 6, wherein a non-blocking strip of the first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips is oriented perpendicularly to a non-blocking strip of the second plurality of parallel non-blocking strips.
 9. The display system of claim 8, wherein the first three-dimensional image is oriented perpendicularly to the second three-dimensional image.
 10. The display system of claim 1, wherein the first three-dimensional image is oriented parallel to the second three-dimensional image.
 11. A display system that delivers multiple views to a viewer, the display system comprising: a pixel array; and an array of barrier elements positioned proximate to the pixel array, each of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements having a blocking state and a non-blocking state; a first set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the blocking state and a second set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the non-blocking state; a third set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the non-blocking state; and the first and second sets of barrier elements being configured to enable a three-dimensional view to be delivered to a viewer, and the third set of barrier elements being configured to enable a two-dimensional view to be delivered to the viewer simultaneously to the three-dimensional view.
 12. The display system of claim 11, wherein the pixel array includes a first set of pixels, a second set of pixels, and a third set of pixels; wherein the first and second sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements filter light from the pixel array to form a first image corresponding to the first set of pixels at a first right eye location and to form a second image corresponding to the second set of pixels at a first left eye location, the first image and the second image being configured to be perceived as the three-dimensional view by the viewer; and wherein the third set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements passes light from the third set of pixels to form a third image configured to be perceived as the two-dimensional view by the viewer.
 13. A method for delivering multiple pairs of left eye views and right eye views to a viewer, the viewer being enabled to perceive each delivered pair as a three-dimensional view, the method comprising: receiving light at an array of barrier elements, each of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements having a blocking state and a non-blocking state; configuring a first set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the blocking state and a second set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the non-blocking state to enable a first three-dimensional view to be delivered to a viewer; and configuring a third set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the blocking state and a fourth set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the non-blocking state to enable a second three-dimensional view to be delivered to the viewer.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein a pixel array includes a first set of pixels, a second set of pixels, a third set of pixels, and a fourth set of pixels, the method further comprising: filtering light from the pixel array with the first and second sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements to form a first image corresponding to the first set of pixels at a first right eye location and to form a second image corresponding to the second set of pixels at a first left eye location; and filtering light from the pixel array with the third and fourth sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements to form a third image corresponding to the third set of pixels at a second right eye location and to form a fourth image corresponding to the fourth set of pixels at a second left eye location.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the pixel array further includes a fifth set of pixels, the method further comprising: selecting a fifth set of barrier elements of the array of barrier elements to be non-blocking to pass light from the fifth set of pixels to form a fifth image, the fifth image being configured to be perceived as a two-dimensional image by the viewer.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the pixel array includes a first set of pixels, a second set of pixels, a third set of pixels, and a fourth set of pixels, wherein said receiving light at an array of barrier elements comprises: receiving the light from a backlighting panel; the method further comprising: filtering the light received from the backlighting panel by the first and second sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements and the first and second sets of pixels to deliver the first three-dimensional view to the viewer; and filtering the light received from the backlighting panel by the third and fourth sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements and the third and fourth sets of pixels to deliver the second three-dimensional view to the viewer.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the pixel array further includes a fifth set of pixels, the method further comprising: configuring a fifth set of barrier elements of the array of barrier elements to be non-blocking; and enabling the light received from the backlighting panel to pass through the fifth set of barrier elements and the fifth set of pixels to deliver the two-dimensional image to the viewer.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein said configuring a first set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the blocking state and a second set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the non-blocking state to enable a first three-dimensional view to be delivered to a viewer comprises: configuring the barrier elements of the first set in a first plurality of parallel blocking strips and the barrier elements of the second set in a first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips interleaved with the first plurality of blocking parallel strips; and wherein said configuring a third set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the blocking state and a fourth set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the non-blocking state to enable a second three-dimensional view to be delivered to the viewer comprises: configuring the barrier elements of the third set in a second plurality of parallel blocking strips and the barrier elements of the fourth set in a second plurality of parallel non-blocking strips interleaved with the second plurality of blocking parallel strips.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: configuring a non-blocking strip of the first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips to have a first width corresponding to a first number of barrier elements selected to be non-blocking; and configuring a non-blocking strip of the second plurality of parallel non-blocking strips to have a second width corresponding to a second number of barrier elements selected to be non-blocking, the first width being different from the second width.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: orienting a non-blocking strip of the first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips perpendicularly to a non-blocking strip of the second plurality of parallel non-blocking strips.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first three-dimensional image is oriented perpendicularly to the second three-dimensional image.
 22. The method of claim 13, wherein the first three-dimensional image is oriented parallel to the second three-dimensional image. 